Farewell to David Black

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my friend, mentor and partner in Tunisian Collaborative Painting;
David Black.

It’s hard to put into words just how much this man impacted my life and how close we became, despite a gap of 3000+ miles, lack of funds, ill health and a pandemic ensuring our real life collaborations never being realised. Something I will always regret.

David’s life story is incredible/boarder-line unbelievable. A Tony Award winning Broadway producer, actor, violinist, opera singer, CIA agent, and author. Oh and of course an internationally acclaimed artist.

He wrote a book about it called ‘Falling off Broadway’ that i highly recommend. His autobiography concludes before our paths crossed but I do know that had there been time, there would have been an additional final chapter within which our story would be told… so I guess that’s down to me now.

Goodbye David, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for your friendship, guidance and encouragement. You told me I was the ‘real-deal’ and blessed me as the custodian of Tunisian Collaborative Painting, just as Hechmi Ghanchem did to you before he passed away. It’s an honour I cherish. You were of course right, Tunisian Collaborative Painting does have the power to chance the world, one group of artists at a time.

Your friend
Luke
🙏🏼